Went to the machine shop, spilled coolant all over the rear floor on the way (courtesy of the stereotypical ignorant, mildly incompetent octogenarian driver). Grr. Car 2, me 0. Asked the guy if he could do the u-joints and center support bearing on my sedan if I brought the driveshaft to him. He walks back and asks the other guy if Volvo u-joints are of type xyz or abc. Says he could do the bearing, but doesn't have the tools to align(?) the u-joints. Okay. So he recommends a muffler shop that does driveshafts and other stuff.

What's the best way to handle the remaining coolant? I left the car out in the sun, but I imagine that coolant won't evaporate. I don't have a shop vac handy.. but I'm thinking I'll have to pull the carpeting on the passenger's side... which enrages me since I just spent too much time fiddling with getting the new passenger's seat in. But hey, I suppose it'll be protected against corosion for the next 30,000 miles.. .hah.

What about this driveshaft business? I obviously don't feel like pressing the issue (hah).. I wouldn't want to see the results if he doesn't feel comfortable doing the job. The line he gave me sounded a bit weird, but it gave me reason to re-think this. Is there anything I should look out for when I look for someone to do this (I figure, I don't have a press or such.. so I might as well take it to someone with the proper tools)?

And in the process.. the damn car has developed a weird squeak that seems to be speed related.. sometimes I think driving is overrated.... well.. at least I need to get a nice set of air horns.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo